Hand on my heart, I’ve re-watched these documentaries every year since they’ve been out. I usually do this little film fest around New Year’s and/or my birthday in June. All three are one-of-a-kind! I cannot vouch for them enough if you are looking for something to pause the daily grind, switch gears from high octane streaming series, and let your eyes, ears and spirit feast on some nourishment. No spoilers, the plot is often the least remarkable thing about a film (and a life). Should you watch these, you’d be glad you done-did it! Them DM/PM/DP me & let’s discuss 😉

In Praise of Nothing (2017) by Boris Mitić

After visiting Timisoara Biennale, I gushed about this film in my Forbes report. Nothingness, voiced by none other than Iggy Pop, travels the world in search of itself (?!) … Boris Mitić asked 62 cinematographers from 70 counties to film “nothing” and then created this absolute gem from their submissions. At times funny, provocative, frustrating, mesmerizing, this film is everything and my personal New Year’s Day tradition. It’s available in 30+ languages and you can rent it directly from the artist. I dare you to watch it just once 🙂

Vivan Las Antipodas (2011) by Victor Kossakovsky

As a child obsessed with geography, I spent time wondering what life was like at various dots in my atlas. Victor Kossakovsky decided to connect those dots in the most fascinating way: directly. What if you drilled through the earth to its other side? China transforms into Argentina, Spain turns into New Zealand, Botswana becomes Hawaii. This is a meditation on the self-evident mysteries of surviving and thriving as a people of the world. The child within me can never stop enjoying this film. You can stream it on most platforms.

How to Cook Your Life (2007) by Doris Dörrie

I first saw this “with” Netflix back when it was mailing DVDs. Synopsys says it “follows a Zen chef” but it follows you-me-us as we struggle to appreciate the (im)precise recipes for our bodies, relationships, dreams. While it’s definitely all about food, it is also a generous plate of delicious insights. There are moments that still make me chuckle or choke up a little after repeated viewings all these years later. You can watch it on Culture Unplugged or stream it on Amazon (in most regions). It will make you want to hug your kitchen utensils.

1.     What was your favorite Nothing moment?

2.     Do you know the Antipode for your hometown?

3.     How are you Seasoning your life?

4.     What are your favorite documentaries?

Let me know @alexeytimbul

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